Synetic Readying Dorian Gray

If you have ever attended a Synetic Theater (or, as we like to call it, the world-class theater in our Crystal City basement) production, you have probably wondered what type of intensive exercise training would be required to prepare the troupe for such physically demanding dancing, fighting, and mime-like movements.

Well, at its annual appearance at the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage series, Synetic cast members presented a 10-minute demonstration of one of their intensive exercise routines. Of course, the session was greatly abbreviated. Exercise, training, and conditioning sessions can last from 1 to 6 hours a day depending upon the production.

Synetic also used their time on the Millennium Showcase stage to preview scenes from their upcoming production, The Picture of Dorian Gray, an original restaging of the classic Gothic Fautian-themed novel by Oscar Wilde.

The performance, which, based on the preview promises to be another in the long line of award-winning presentations, opens on Sept. 26 and will run until Nov. 3.

But back to those warm-up exercises for a minute. If you would like to experience a sample of the such intensity yourself, you can. Synetic offers exercise and training programs for the public. Just check out the group's web site.

Tales, Tidbits, and Tips
If you would like to see the entire one-hour performance by Synetic, you can by clicking here.